What can we learn from Thomas's response about faith in unseen truths? Setting the Scene in the Upper Room John 20 recounts the evening when the risen Jesus appeared to the disciples. Thomas had missed the first gathering (John 20:24). A week later, Jesus returned specifically for Thomas’s sake: “Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.’ ” (John 20:27) Faced with undeniable evidence, Thomas bursts out: “Thomas answered Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ ” (John 20:28) Thomas’s Confession: More Than a Moment of Surprise • “My Lord” — Thomas claims Jesus personally. “Lord” implies authority, surrender, obedience (Luke 6:46). • “My God” — He recognizes Jesus’s full deity, echoing John 1:1 and Isaiah 9:6. No disciple had yet given Christ such an explicit title. • The words are worship, not mere exclamation. Jesus receives them without rebuke, confirming their truth. Faith in Unseen Truths—Jesus’s Immediate Response “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) Key principles: 1. Sight can spark belief, but faith in Christ transcends physical proof. 2. A special blessing rests on believers who trust God’s Word without tangible confirmation. 3. Truth remains truth whether or not we see it; Scripture is sufficient revelation. How Scripture Reinforces This Theme • Hebrews 11:1 — “Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.” • 2 Corinthians 5:7 — “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” • 1 Peter 1:8-9 — “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him… you are receiving the goal of your faith.” • Romans 10:17 — “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Lessons We Can Draw • The credibility of Christ’s resurrection rests on eyewitness testimony recorded in Scripture—historical fact that invites rational trust. • Honest doubt is welcomed, but Scripture urges us to move from skepticism to confession. • Personal ownership (“my Lord”) is integral to saving faith; Jesus is not merely “a” Lord but “my” Lord. • Worship flows naturally when eyes of faith perceive Jesus’s true identity and finished work. • Assurance grows as we rest in God’s trustworthiness rather than chase continual signs. Practical Ways to Strengthen Faith in the Unseen • Immerse yourself daily in God’s Word, letting the Spirit speak through inspired, inerrant Scripture. • Recall fulfilled promises in your past; concrete memories build confidence for unseen realities ahead. • Gather with believers for testimony and mutual encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper: a tangible reminder of invisible grace. • Cultivate thankfulness; gratitude tunes the heart to notice God’s hand even when physical sight comes up empty. Living Out Thomas’s Declaration Today When doubts arise, revisit Thomas’s journey. Scripture presents his story honestly so we can echo his conclusion without demanding the same proof. Confessing “My Lord and my God” anchors faith, unlocks blessing, and positions us to walk confidently toward the unseen city “whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). |
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